Tag: Triple helix

Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, owes its remarkable tensile strength and unique structure to a special modification: the addition of hydroxyproline. This process, which occurs after initial synthesis, is fundamentally important for producing stable collagen fibers that form the structural framework of skin, bones, and cartilage.

As the most abundant protein in mammals, making up 25% to 35% of total protein content, collagen provides the structural framework for nearly every tissue in the body. Its immense strength and flexibility are not accidental, but rather the result of an intricate, hierarchical pattern that begins at the molecular level and extends to the gross anatomy of tissues.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom, and over 90% of the collagen found in the human body is Type I. To understand its function and benefits, it's essential to know what is true collagen made of, including its unique amino acid profile and complex molecular structure.

Collagen, a major protein in the human body, is primarily composed of one specific amino acid. Glycine, the most abundant amino acid in collagen, is essential for the protein's unique triple helix formation.

Glycine is a foundational element in the body, constituting roughly one-third of collagen's total amino acid content, a much higher proportion than found in most other proteins. Understanding why glycine is common in collagen is key to appreciating the protein's remarkable properties and its importance for the integrity of our connective tissues.